Feasibility of Integrating Homeopathic Approach in a Comprehensive Cancer Center

Summary

Supportive and palliative care play an important role in cancer treatment, and when introduced early can improve quality of life and may even increase median survival rates, as shown in patients with advanced lung cancer. Complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) is a popular supportive approach among oncology patients and is on the rise worldwide. In many countries, homeopathy is being one the CIM methods integrated with a general sense that this treatment is beneficial to the well-being and quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients. In this observational study we will evaluate the feasibility of integrating homeopathic approach in patients attending the complementary and integrative oncology service at the division of oncology in Rambam Health Campus in Haifa, Israel, a major referral comprehensive cancer center. This observational study will evaluate three main ingredients of acceptance: * Obtaining the reasons that patients willing to integrate this supportive approach * Patient acceptance of this supportive approach as well as compliance with the homeopathic approach * Obtaining retrospective subjective information from the patients through validated quality of life questionnaires. (MYCaW, Distress Thermometer, and ESAS-R) Measures which are used routinely in integrative oncology encounters.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* • 18 years of age or older

  * Ability to read, write, and understand the Hebrew language
  * Patients treated at the Division of Oncology in Rambam Health Campus.
  * Performance status of ECOG 0-2.
  * Consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* • Inability to understand the intent of the study and follow the instructions

  * Diagnosis of active psychosis, altered mental state or severe cognitive impairment confirmed by the patient's attending physician.
  * Frailty, ECOG worse than 2, or other unstable medical conditions as confirmed by the patient's attending physician including acute illness, fever, unclear rash or medical conditions that would preclude participation in an interview session lasting 15-30 minutes

Conditions4

Browse More Trials